THURSDAY 4/7
HARDCORE
BANE
After more than two decades of hardcore punk with intelligent messages, the boys in Bane are finally hanging it up. Originally intended to only be a side project for Converge’s Aaron Dalbec in 1994, the band quickly gained a life of its own, earning love and respect from fans and fellow musicians alike. While never quite being a “straight edge” band, Bane has never been one to cower away from a message of sober positivity while keeping their tough as $#!% attitude. Anyone who was a teenager in the 1980s and 1990s will be there, but even for those who never got into punk, this is one show that will leave everyone asking, “Can we start again? Go back to what it meant back then?” MAT WEIR
INFO: 8:30 p.m. Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $18/adv, $20/door. 429-4315.
FRIDAY 4/8
HARD ROCK
THE DARKNESS
The U.K.’s the Darkness were a surprising hit in 2003 with five hit singles off their debut record, most notably the hard-rocking earworm “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” The band rode a weird line of homage and ’70s rock parody. They had all the ingredients: the sweet licks, feathered hair, flamboyant clothes, and operatic falsetto. They’re not quite the hitmakers they were 13 years ago, but their newest album is packed with just as much power-rocking riffage, and singer Justin Hawkins belts out all of those unbelievably high notes that old-school Darkness fans will be sure to love. AARON CARNES
INFO: 9 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $25/adv, $30/door, 429-4135.
AFRO-LATIN FUNK
JUNGLE FIRE
The loose, genre-tinkering grooves that define the 11-piece Jungle Fire really begins to make sense once you learn that the L.A.-based group started out as a single jam session in 2011. They’ve kept that feel alive five years later, and produce some of the most innovative, infectious, high-energy dance music going. It’s got elements of funk, Latin, African, hip-hop, and soul, but doesn’t focus too much on any one style. It’s highly percussive (they have five percussionists) and horn-driven (four horn players!) and are currently signed to Nacional—arguably the hippest, most cutting-edge Latin music record label around. Jungle Fire should please anyone itching to dance to some fresh beats. AC
INFO: 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $9/adv, $12/door. 479-1854.
SATURDAY 4/9
ROCK/TRIBUTE
HOUSE OF FLOYD
For years, House of Floyd has been the Bay Area’s premiere Pink Floyd tribute band, covering their namesake’s entire discography from the early Syd Barrett years through Division Bell. Unlike other Pink cover bands, House of Floyd not only carries the sound, but also the style and atmosphere of the original, evolving long jams and spaced-out silences to their trippiest completion. MW
INFO: 8 p.m. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $25/gen, $40/gold. 423-8209.
INDIE
FEED ME JACK
Mixing complex technical chops and catchy melodies is a delicate balancing act, one that Oakland’s Feed Me Jack has gotten quite skilled at. The five-piece formed here in Santa Cruz in 2011, and since relocating has earned an even bigger audience. Their latest CD, Ultra Ego, is a superbly produced collection of songs that uses jazz as the glue that connects their math-rock and indie-pop leanings. The blend creates a lot of haunting and gorgeous sections—they never stick around on any one for too long, but still keep the songs progressing in a logical and emotionally satisfying manor. AC
INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $8. 429-6994.
SUNDAY 4/10
TRIBUTE
LYNETTE SKYNYRD
Hailed as the world’s only all-female Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, Lynette Skynyrd may be one of the few bands that doesn’t mind requests for “Freebird” hollered out during their shows. But this Southern California-based outfit stomps on the notion of being just another tribute band, with blistering performances driven by the ace musicians and a return to the epic nature of ’70s rock concerts. Described by one reviewer as “badass rockchick authority that stands the test of time,” Lynette Skynyrd drags the spirit and power of rock ’n’ roll back to its rightful place: the stage. CJ
INFO: 2 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $10/adv, $12/door. 335-2800.
FINGERSTYLE GUITAR
RICHARD SMITH
A National Fingerstyle Champion, British guitarist Richard Smith was just 5 years old when he first picked up the guitar, and he’s been at it ever since. Playing in the country swing and acoustic fingerpicking styles made popular by Chet Atkins, Merle Travis and Jerry Reed, Smith has, in the eyes of at least one of his influences, eclipsed his teachers. As Atkins said, Smith is “[t]he most amazing guy I know on the guitar. He can play anything I know, only better.” On Sunday, Smith brings his guitar wizardry to Felton. CJ
INFO: 7 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $15. 335-2800.
IN THE QUEUE
BOLIVIA CLÁSICA
World-renowned classical pianist Ana-Maria Vera and friends. Wednesday at Kuumbwa
MAKING MOVES
Psychedelic/Afro/Cumbia/Rock out of Santiago, Panama by way of Kansas City. Thursday at Moe’s Alley
MILITIA OF LOVE
Veteran reggae group from Monterey County. Thursday at Don Quixote’s
BROTHERS COMATOSE
Americana back-to-back with Painted Horses and the McCoy Tyler Band. Thursday and Friday at Crepe Place
UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA
Celebrated group comprising American and New Zealand pop-rockers. Tuesday at Cocoanut Grove
